Inflator for pneumatic lifesaving devices



Feb. 10, 1953 c. w. MUSSER ET AL INFLATOR FOR PNEUMATIC LIFEsAvING DEVICES 5 sheets-'sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1950 iim lll

INVENTORS.

ssER.

TTORNEYS Feb. 10, 1953 c. w. MUssER ET AL 2,627,998

INFLATOR FOR PNEUMATIC LIFEsAvING DEVICES Filed Jan. 9, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 se as Y' /o94 y l/ FIG. l2.

FIG. 2.0. "6 p j /15 84 15:. O Il.. /17

.u /50 INVENTORS. V /49 c.wA|.ToN MussER.

ALBERT BENorrT. /46 /48 BY FlG. 2e. WMMM ORNEYS.

Feb. 10, 1953 c. W. Mussi-:R ET AL INFLATOR FOR PNEUMATIC LIFESAVING DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. C. WALTON MUSSER.

ALBERT BENDITT.

Filed Jan. 9, 1950 Feb. 10, 1953 c. w. MUssER ErAL 2,627,998

INFLATOR FOR PNEUMATIC LIFESAVING DEVICES Filed Jan. 9, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 10, 1953 INFLATOR FOR PNEUMATIC LIFESAVING DEVICES Clarence Walton Musser, Glenside, and Albert Benditt, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application January 9, 195o, serial No. 137,522

1o c1aims. (c1. 222-5) (Granted under Tine 35, U. s. code (1952),

sec. 266) 1 The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes Without the payment of any royalty thereon.

In its broad aspects, our invention relates to fluid actuated Signalaalarms and indicators and,

while not limited solely thereto, has particular,

reference to collapsible, inflatable, life saving devices such as rubber suits, vests, rafts, boats, and the like carried in all types of aircraft.

The rapid growth of aeromarine and transoceanic iiying, as well as the extensive use of land or aircraft carrier-based naval planes, has made it necessary to provide a means of saving the lives of aircraft personnel and passengers from drowning at times when emergency landing on water is lnecessary or unavoidable, especially if the aircraft is unable to remain afloat.

Since in all aircraft, maximum use must be made of available space and non-pay loads must be kept to a minimum, such life saving means usually are deated, collapsible rubber devices which are iniiated for use only when the necessity therefor arises.

One object of our invention is to provide a light, small, compact, simply constructed yet highly effective means for inating life saving devices of the character previously mentioned.

Another object is to provide a means for inating life saving devices which is incapable of being accidentally disassembled or operated.

A further object is to provide a means for inflating life saving devices which is operable either manually at Will or automatically upon contact with water or other liquid.

Still another object is to provide a means for inria-ting life saving devices which is insensible to mechanical shock and to changes in barometric pressure.

A still further object is to provide a means for inilating life saving devices which is capable of being set at will in an inoperative or safe position until the user desires to make it operative either automatically or manually.

Yet another object is to provide a means for inating life saving devices which is easily accessible for inspection and/or replacement of parts.

We have accomplished the foregoing and other objects by providing unique, positive acting means whereby a sealed cylinder containing a gas under pressure can be punctured either at will by the user or automatically when the user plunges into water or the like, so that the gas is instantaneously released and then directed into an inatable life saving device.

Solely for illustrative reasons our novel invention will be here discussed in connection with its application to an inflatable rubber life saving vest, although it must be understood that there are many other equally important usages for our device.

The construction and operation of our invention will become clear from an inspection of the following speccation and accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 shows in outline the torso of an aircraft passenger wearing an inatable life saving vest bearing our inventive devices which have been exposed to side view in the drawing by lifting up the vests front ilaps;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded side view of our device;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, partly in section, of one important component (the operating cap) of our invention taken from line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the same component, partly in section, taken from line 5--5 of Fig. 3; a

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are longitudinal sections taken along lines '6-6, '1 -1, and 8--8 respectively of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a second important component (the drum cam) of our mon taken from line 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 10 and 11 are longitudinal sections taken along line Ill-l0 and lI--II respectively of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a side view taken from line 12-12 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of a third important component (the ring pin) taken from line |3-I3 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 14 and 15 are side views taken from lines Ill-I4 and |5-I5 respectively of Fig. 13;

Figs. 16 and 17 are transverse sections taken along lines I6-|6 and ll-Il respectively of Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section showing the components of Figs. 7, 11, and 15, together with other components, preparatory to combining them into a rst sub-assembly by employing an assembling jig.

Figs. 19, 20, and 21 are longitudinal sections similar in part to Fig. 18, except that the components thereof are shown in certain progressive stages of assemblage;

Fig. 22 is a view taken along line 22-22 o f Fig.

19, but completed to show a portion of a full transverse section;

Fig. 23 is a side view, partly in section, of a second sub-assembly;

Fig. 24 is a side view, partly in'section, showing the relative positions of the Fig. 3 components, which have been joined to form certain subassemblies, just prior to the complete final asf Figs. 30, 3l and 32 are longitudinal sections taken along corresponding lines 30-30, .3l-3l, and'Z-SZ of Figs. 27, 28 and 29, respectively;

Figs. 33, 34, 35, 36 are side views, partly in section, showing the various stages and conditions encountered during the iinal assembly and operation of our invention;

Fig. 36A is a longitudinal section, similar to Fig. 36, showing a certain phase of operation of our invention;

Figs. 37, 38, 39 and 40 are top views, partly in section, taken from corresponding lines 31--3'i, Sii-38, 39-39 and lle-4D, Aof Figs. 33, 34, 35, and 36, respectively;

Figs. 4l, 42 and 43 are similar longitudinal sections taken along corresponding lines 1l-4i, l242and :i3- Q3 of Figs. 37, 38 and 39, respectively;

Fig. 44 is a side view takenffrom line i4- dii of Fig. 38, some interfering parts having been removed for purposes of clarity;

Fig. 45 is a view taken along line 45--655 of Fig. 34, but substantially completed to show practically a full transverse section;

Figs. 46, 47, 48'and 49 are longitudinal sections taken along corresponding lines i3-48', l1-4l, ri-48, and i3-i9 of Figs. 33, 34, 35 and 36, respectively;

Fig. 50 is an enlargement `of a portion of Fig.

48 showing a phase of operation of our inventive device;

Fig. 50Av is "a similar enlargement showing another operative phase of the same part of our apparatus;

Figs. 51, 52, 53 and54` are transverse sections taken along corresponding lines EI-I, 552-52, 53-53 and 54-54 of Figs. 33, 34, 35, and 36, respectively;

Figs. 55 and 56 are transverse sections taken alongcorresponding lines 55-55 andS- of Figs. 33 and 3S, respectively;

Fig. 57 is a side view taken from-line 5'1--151V of Fig. 4G, some interfering parts having been removed forpurposes of clarity;

Fig. 58 is a transverse section taken along line E38-580i Fig. 3; and

Fig. 59 is a View taken along line 59-53 of Fig. 19, but completed to show a portion of a full transverse section.

Because our completely assembled inventive device is composed of two major sub-assemblies as well as other equally important individual components, and because a step by step discussion will-facilitate the understanding of the-important features of our invention, it would be well to mention the pattern to be followed in disclosing our invention;

Initially we will discuss the components which comprise the rst 'sub-assembly. After that we will introduce an assembly jig and pin tool which can be used effectively in assembling the components of the rst sub-assembly. Next, aprocedure found to be acceptable in making the iirst sub-assembly will be discussed. Finally, concerning the first sub-assembly, the important unique features of the sub-assembly will be surveyed.

Following the iirst sub-assembly, components comprising the second sub-assembly will be introduced. Next, a procedure relating to the assembly of the components of the second subassembly will be disclosed. Then we shall point out various salient features of that sub-assembly.

After the second sub-assembly, we shall con- Sider the remaining individual components and, ultimately, the final assembly of all the cornponents and the operation of our inventive device.

At various places throughout the disclosure oi our invention such terms as upper, lower, top, bottom, below, etc. willbe used to indicate direction. In order not to be misunderstood the words upper and top, used in connection with some side views and some longitudinal sections, will have directional reference to the top of the drawing sheet as it is held in normal position for reading. Coincidentally, the words upper and top will also refer in actuality to the top of our device when it is in the position shown. in Fig. 1.

The terms below, lower and bottom also used in connection with some side views and some longitudinal sections will have directional reference to the bottom of the drawing sheet as it is held in normal position for reading. These words, too, will also actually refer to the bottom of our device when it is in the position shown in Fig. l.

COMPONENTS OF FIRST SUB-ASSEMBLY Our rst sub-assembly consists of a plug 65, 4an operating cap 66, a detent G1, a detent spring 53, a drum cam 69, a firing pin spring lil, and a firing pin 1l (see Figs. 3 and 18). These parts will be elaborated upon` below.

Plug and operating cap Plug S5 is merely a short cylindrical piece of metal'or transparent plastic material of asize capable of being force iitted into a recess (later to be described) in the top of operating cap G6.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive, operating cap 66 is a knob-like member having axially located cylindrical recesses 'i2 'and 'i3 emanating from its upper end surface, and recesses 'i4 and 15 (Figs. 6-7) emanating from its lower end surface. Recess 72 is of such diameter and depth as to accommodate plug 55 which is later forced into place there. Adjacent recess '12 is the inner, smaller recess "i3 at the bottom of which is a door portion I6 which contains a centrally located slot 'i7 whose ends are continuous with diametrically opposed wall portions of recess 13. Recess 14 is larger in diameter than recess 15, the two forming at their juncture a shoulder 78. Cut into the wall of recess l5 are three equally spaced grooves 'i9 whose bottoms coincide with the wall of recess 'M (see Figs. 4 to 7). As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, grooves 'i3 bear a certain definite relationship to slot 1l, for reasons which will become apparent later.

Inscribed on a tapered skirt portion 89 of operating` cap 66, between each Vadjacent pairn messages:

of grooves'l9,'is a'set of three letters, S,"A,`

and M, designated by reference charactersl, 82, and 83, respectively (see Fig. 5). The three letters S are equally spaced apart from each other and each one is 30 degrees from the groovev each other and each one is 30 degrees from its,

adjacent letter A. These relationships are shown in Figs. 5 and 33 to 36, inclusive, and will be discussed .more fully later. f

Concentrically located on the inside surface 94 of the top of operating cap 66 is a stepped arcuate groove made up of a deep portion S5 and a shallower portion 8S (see Figs. 4, 5, 7, 8). The deep l portion 85 begins in alignment with the longitu-` dinal axis of slot TI and proceeds in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, through an angle of 45 degrees. At the point where deep portion terminates there is located a pin hole 8 1 which opens through the caps upper end surface. At this terminal point, too, the shallower portion 89 begins and extends ,through an `angle of 30 more degrees, thus making the total length` of the stepped arcuate groove '75 degrees.

Detent and detent spring Detent 9'! is merely a cylindrical member of special length having aclosed upper end anda blind recess 88 emanating' from its lower end (see Fig. 18). The diameter of the cylinder is rsuch that it is readily slidable in the stepped arcuate groove 85-89 in cap 96 (see Figs. 3 and 18).

The drum cam The next member to be introduced is the cylindrical or drum cam 59 (see Figs. 3 and 9 to 12). At equally spaced intervals on the periphery of this member are three substantially identical grooves 99 which extend from top to bottom (see Figs. 9, 12). One side 9S of the groove 89 is straight while the other side is made up of a short straight portion 9! and a longer straight portion 92 connected by a sloped portion 93, as shown in Fig. l2. Short straight portion 94, located in the lower part of drum cam 69, and the longer straight portion 92, located in the upper part, are both parallel to the single straight side 99 forming the opposite side of the groove.

In concentric relation to the periphery of the drum cam 69 is a hub 94 which is generated by the presence of a circular spring groove 95 which extends from the drum cams lower surface a substantial distance inward toward its upper surface (see Figs. 9 to 11) A slot 96 of substantially the same width and length as slot il of operating cap S9, is out axially through the drum cams upperfsurface and hub 94. rihis slot is so positioned as to be in direct alignment with that portion of one of the grooves 89 composed of short straight side SI and single straight side 90 (see Fig. 9). Also aligned with slot 96, but located on the side of the drum cam diametrically opposite to the portion of the rgroove 89 just mentioned, and extending from the' drum cams upper surface a substantial distance toward its lower surface, is a blind cylindrical detent recess 97 (see Figs. 9 and l1). This-recess 6. is the s'ame distance from the center of thedrum cam as the stepped arcuate grooves -86 are from the center of the operating cap 66. diameter of the detent recess 91 is sufficient slidably to accommodate detent 61, While the depth of the recess is substantially less than the detents length. The reasons for this condition will become apparent later.

Firing pm and spring therefor Referring to Fig. 3 the next member in our aggregation of components is the helical firing pin spring 19. It will be sumcient at this time to say that one end slidably ts into the circular spring groove 95 and around the hub 94 in drum cam 99, while the other end rests against a ange of the ring pin.

The next member of the rst sub-assembly is the axially symmetrical firing pin 'Il (see Figs. 13 to 17). This pin will there be seen to consist of a lower cylindrical shank 98 and an upper portion comprising parallel flats 99. The cylindrical shank is of substantially the same diameter as hub 9:1 in drum cam 69, but slightly less than the diameter' of recess 13 in operating cap 65. The portion bearing parallel iiats 99 is divided into a smaller head portion ISH) at the uppermost extremity and a larger body portion Il!! separated by a cylindrical neck H32 which is concentric with shank 9E and is the same diameter as the distance between the iiats 99. The distance between the two flats 99 is slightly less vthan the width of slot 99 in the drum cam 59, and of slot 'Il in operating cap 66.

At the lower end of shank 98 is a stepped flange consisting of a larger diametered portion I US and a smaller diametered portion H34 which form at their juncture a shoulder E95. Spaced equidistantly around the periphery of the stepped iange, and extending between the langes upper and lower surfaces, are six semi-circular recesses |85. A required relationship which exists between recesses lIl and flats 98,whose importance to the functioning of our novel device will later be made clear, can be seen in Fig. 13. This relationship is such that an imaginary line through the centers of one pair of the opposed recessesA is perpendicular to the ilats 99 and also, in consequence, an imaginary line throughthe shank 98 and midway between the parallel ats 99 bisects the distance between oppositely located.

JIG .FOR J DINING PARTS INTO FIRST SUB-ASSEMBLY The components discussed thus far are members of the iirst sub-assembly of our invention. In order to assemble them we make use of the assembly jig I shown in Figs. 18 to 2l and 27 to 29, and a pin tool M9 shown in Figs. 20, 28 and 31.

.The assembly jig IDB simply consists of a cylindrical portion I I which issues from a cylindrical base I I I. Projecting downward a substantial distance from the upper surface of cylindrical portion I I toward the lower surface of the base I i I is an axial cylindrical recess H2. Press tted into the accommodating holes therefor at the bottom of recess I i2, at equal distances from its center', are two diametrically opposedpins H3 of slightly less diameter than the recesses ISS in the iiring pin ll, and passing through the bot- The 7 tom" of the'recess at its center is a hole H4 (see Fig. 18).

There are several salient features of our assemblyjig 68 and we shall call attention to the most important ones. The outside diameter of the cylindrical portion if!) is slightly less than the diameter'of the recess "i5l in operating cap 66. The diameter of the axial cylindrical recess H2 slidably accommodates drum cam 89, while the depth of recess 52 is Such that with firing pin' H properly located within the jig, and with the operating cap 55 manually pushed down until its inside surface rests upon the upper surface of the cylindrical portion il@ of the assembly jig, the floor 'i5 of recess 'i3 in operating cap 65 rests slightly below the bottom oi head portion EDG ci fl'ringpin 'H (see Figs. 18 to 21 and 27 to 29).

PROCEDURE FOR J (DINING FIRST SUB-ASSEMBLY In assembling the plug 65, operating cap 86, detent 8T, detent spring drum cam S9, firing pin spring lil, and firing pin 'il into the subassembly shown in Fig. 2a, the following procedure has been found to be preferable. Since the plug 85 is merely pressed into the recess 'l2 in operating cap 6e, this can be done at any convenient time before or after the assembly of the otherparts.

`Our iirst sub-assembly can be pictured as being made in four steps. In the first step (see Fig. 18) the assembly jig 183 is rested upon some firm surface and the ring pin li is placed in the recess I l2 so that the detonating tip ll projects into the jigs hole H4 and two oppositely located semi-circular recesses H38 in the stepped ilange 193;! oli are engaged by the jigs pins i i3. Relative rotation between the firing pin 'Il and assembly jig 138 is thus made impossible. 'lhis done, the jig ld preferably is rotated until a flat S9 on rlng pin il extends across the reader (from left to right) as shown in Fig. 18. Firing pin spring lli is nest placed around the iii-ing pinl.

Drum cam 69 is then prepared for inclusion in this sub-assembly as follows. Detent spring 68 is placed in the blind recess 88 in detent Gland the detent is placed, open end down, into the detent recess 91 in the drum cam. The drum cam is then placed, with its hub 94 facing downward, upon the upper end of firing pin spring 'I0 and is rotated until slot 96 aligns with ats 99 on liring pin 'il and detent El is to the readers rig-ht (see Figs. 18, 27 and 30). Next, operatingcap 66 is held, open end down, at a slight distance above the drum cam 59 and the cap -is rotated until cap sl-ot 'VI aligns with the previously aligned dats 99 of firing pin ll and slot 96 of drum cam 59. It is additionally necessary at this point to have the stepped arcuate groove 8'5, 8B to the readers right (see Figs. 18 and 27), so that when the cap 66 is lowered onto the drum cam 69, detent El will ,assume its appropriate -position in the deeper portion 85 of the stepped arcuate groove.

WIn the second step of the sub-assembly (see Figs. 19 and 27) operating cap a6 is pressed down by hand as far as it will gol so that its internal surface 84 rests upon the top surface of the cylindrical portion lli! of assembly jig 108. When this is done firing pin spring l is compressed, and the head portion 199 of ring pin It enters recess 13 in operating cap 56 (see Figs. 19 and 27) the cylindrical neck to2 of flring pin 1| enters slot 'il in operating cap 66 (see Figs.w 19 and 22); and the flats 99 of liring pin gli TI aie'sldably engaged'b'y the-s101296 in the drum cam 69 (see Figs. 19 and 59). As .a consequence of this" step the assembly jig |08, firing lpin 'Il and drum cam B9 areA secured against any relative rotation so that Vonly the operating cap 66 will be able to be rotated in relation to the assembly jig;

`Because of the' earlier mentioned special length of detent Gland because the depth of blind recess 91- in drum cam 69 is substantially less than the'detents'ilength, these preceding steps of the iirst sub-assemblywould be impossible unless the proper relationship existed between drum cam '69, detent-B1 and operating'capV 65. This condition, therefore, allows only the cor-rect assembly of the components, and absolutely prevents any incorrect assembly because the axial distance' from the bottom of recess 91 in drum cam 6'9 to the overlyingshallower lportion 86 of the arcuate groove in' operating cap 66 is only slightly greater than the length of detent'l.

In the third step, still pressing the operating cap 66 down onthe assembly jig |88, we rotate cap 6B forty-live degrees in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from above, from the positiony of Fig. 27 to that of Fig. 28. This'rotation of cap 66 causes its slot ll now to extend somewhat across the under side of head portion |09 of firing pin TI to create a latching eiect between the two (see Fig. 2O and 28). Pressure on operating cap B may now be released because the ring pin spring is prevented by the said lat'ching action from exerting the potential energy given it by the earlier compressive action. The rotation of operating cap GS also causes the deeperportion-B of the stepped arcuate groove to slide over detent 6l until the far end of portion contacts detent Gl and thus prevents further rotation of the operating cap until later. At this time; too, the pin Ihole 8l in operating 4cap 66 assumes a position directly over the detent Sl as shown in Figs. 20, 28 and 31.

It will be noticed in Fig. 28 that the grooves 'i9 in operating cap 66 are not in radial alignment with the grooves in the drum cam formed by the one straight side and the opposite short straight side 9i. Before the sub-assembly can be useful the grooves 'I9 in cap E6 must align with the grooves 89 in the drum cam 69. In our fourth step, then, in order further to rotate the oper-ating cap 66 for the purpose of aligning the grooves just mentioned, the pin tool H39 is inserted into pin hole 8l of operating cap 66 and the tool is pushed down as far as possible, overcoming the force of detent spring 68 and depressing the detent so that its upper end is just below the level of the 'shallower portion 86 of the arcuate groove in operating cap B6 (see Figs. 20 and 31). The limitation of rotative motion between drum cam 69 and operating cap S6 is thus released and, still depressing detent 61, oper-ating cap 66 is rotated 30 more in a;v counterclockwise direction as viewed from above until the end of the shallower portion 8E of the stepped arcuate groove contacts the detent 61 (see Figs. 21, 29 and 32). This just mentioned rotation causes the slot 'H in operating cap 66 to turn at a greater angle -across the under side of the head portion |09 of the ring -pin 1l, thereby enhancing the latching action between firing pin 1l and operating cap 6B. The last mentioned rotation also causes the grooves 19 in operating cap 66 to come into alignment with grooves 89 in the drum cam-69 (see Figi 9 FEATURES OF FIRST SUB-ASSEMBLY The sub-assembly of the operating cap 6B, detent 61, detent spring 68, drum cam 69, ring pin spring l0, and firing pin 'Il is now lcomplete (see Fig. 24). What we essentially have is the under side of smaller head portion |00 of the ring pin 'II in latching engagement with the oor portion 16 at the bottom of recess 13, see Figs. 21 and 29; and the firing pin Spring 'I0 compressed between the spring groove 95 of the drum cam 69 and the stepped flange ID3-|04 of the ring pin II (see Fig. 24).

It will be noted from Fig. 29 that the head portion IIJII of the iiring pin 7| and the slot 'I'I of the operating cap 6E are '75 degrees out of alignment. Another important relationship existing at this time can be seen from Fig. 51, namely the fact that if the center lines of grooves 'I9 in operating cap 66 are projected radially inward to the axis of the firing pin, as

viewed from above, they will each bisect the central angle included between each' of three pairs of adjacent semi-circular recesses IBS in the stepped flange ID3-|04 of ring pin 'I|. The utility of this relationship will later become clear.

As earlier stated, the total length of the stepped `arcuate groove 85-86 in the operating cap 66 is also 75 degrees. ning the operating ca-p through 75 degrees in relation to the firing pin, the head portion I Il of firing pin II will be in alignment with slot 'I'I of operating cap v66, Ithe latching action between the two will thus be broken and ring pin l spring I0 will no longer be constrained. As a result the firing pin will be urged under spring pressure out of engagement with operating cap 66. This action, however, will be discussed more in detail when the operation of our invention is considered. For the present we shall con` tin-ue by introducing other components of our device. According to the pattern mentioned earlier, it is appropriate now to discuss the second sub-assembly.

COMPONENTS OF SECOND SUB-ASSIIMBLY'l 'Ihis sub-assembly consists of an inner sleeve I I'5, an outer sleeve H6, an intermediate water soluble chemical sleeve II'I, and three spherical.,- steel balls I I8 (see Figs. 3 and 23).

The inner sleeve The inner sleeve I 5 has multiple staggered rows of closely spaced perforations H9 over substantially all its surface area. Near its lower edge are three equally spaced holes |28 each having a beveled perimeter IrI. The inside diam-.- eter of inner sleeve I I'5 slidably accommodates the larger diametered portion |63 flange on ring pin 'I I.

The outer sleeve The outer sleeve H6, like the inner one, has

multiple staggered rows of closely spaced per-V Therefore, by turnof the stepped' The water-soluble chemical sleeve The water soluble sleeve H'I may suitably be comprised of 40% lactose and 60% fused borax. Before being formed into the sub-:assembly of inner sleeve H5, outer sleeve H5, and balls H8, the soluble sleeve components are in the form of a powder. However, by a procedure described below, the powder'y is compressed to form a firm and stable sleeve.

PROCEDURE FOR JOINNG SECOND SUB- ASSEMBLY l In order to make the sub-assembly of the components just mentioned the inner sleeve H5 and outer sleeve I i6 are concentrically positioned one within the other in an assembly jig (not shown) which allows the inner sleeve H5 to project a small distancebelow the lower edge of the outer sleeve I I6. The dista-nce, just mentioned, is such that the bottoms of balls I I8, when resting on the beveled perimeter I 2| of the holes me, will be vtangent to an imaginary plane extending across the bottom edge of sleeve H6. With the inner and outer sleeves so positioned balls H8 are introduced through holes |20 and are allowed to drop down the beveled perimeters |2I. Because the balls have a diameter somewhat greater than the radialdistance between the inside of outer Asleeve I I6 and the inside of inner sleeve I I5, ,they

are stopped by the inner wall surface of outer sleeve H6. When at rest in this fashion, each ball protrudes afshort distance, which is slightly less thanthe difference between the diameters |03 and |04 of firing pin ll, radially inward past the inner wall surface of inner sleeve H5 (see Figs. 23 and A25) At this point another important relationship must be established between the balls I I 8 and the IJ-shaped recesses |24 in the flange |23 of outer sleeve .I I5. This relationship is obtained by revolving the inner and outer sleeves in relation to each other, without disturbing their verticalA relationship, until each of theV three steel balls H8 is diametrically opposed to one of the U- shaped recesses I24 in the ilange |23 of the outer sleeve H6 (see Fig. 25). The inside of inner sleeve I I5 and the outside of outer sleeve I I6 are then covered (by means not shown), leaving accessible only the space between the two sleeves. The powdered chemical is pelleted under great pressure into this space (by means not shown). The water soluble chemical sleeve I I'I is thus formed, extending from the bottom of the outer sleeve I I6 at one end to near the top of the inner sleeve H5 at theother end.

FEATURES orsEcoNp SUB-ASSEMBLY .OTHER -INDrvmUi-in COMPONENTS Referring to Fig. '3, the other individual components of our inventive device are a body I25,

' a primer |26, a primer holder |27, a penetrating Pin 23,21 ga's cylinder |29, a ring gasket |38 and an ellllrcapllLl ,5

1 1 The bodyK From Figs. 3 and 24 the body is-seen to consist or a comparatively long cylindrical portion |32, a flared top end |33, a lower threaded end |34, a side lug |35, andan internal partition |35.

The long cylindrical portion |32 has cylindrical cavities |31 and |38 above the partition |36 and a cylindrical cavity |39 below the partition (see Fig. 24). Cavity |31 is oi suicient diameter and length slidably to support the lower end yof the outer sleeve |''6 (see Fig. 24). Cavity |38 is somewhat larger in diameter than cavity |31, Yand is able to contain the outside diameter of outer sleeve H5. Cavity |39 below partition |36 slidably contains a cylinder |29 of compressed gas later to be described (see Fig. 24).

In the wall of long cylindrical portion |32, just below the flared top end |33, are two rows of staggered holes |40 (see Figs. v3 and.24). 4These holes open into recess |38. On the outside surface of the long cylindrical portion |32, also just below the flared top end |33 in thespaces'between adjoining perforations |40, are inscribed three equally Vspaced arrows 14| (one .of which is shown in Figs. 3 and 24) whose purpose will 'later be made clear.

The 4top flared end |33 of body |25 is of such outside diameter las slidably to accommodate recess 15 of operating cap |55 andfhas an axial Yrecess |42 adjacent to and somewhat larger in are such as slidably to accommodate drum cam 5S andflange |23 on outer sleeve 6 '(see Fig. `37). Equallyspaced around the periphery of top flared end |33 and at the same distance from its top 'surface are three pins |44 which project a `certain small distance into recess |42 at their inner ends and outwardly away from thelateralsurface of the top flared end |33,at their outer ends (see Fig. 24). These pins |44, too, are in alignment with arrows `54| inscribed on the `long cylindrical portion |32 of the body |25. As will later be described in more detail, the inner ends of pins |44 slidably engage the groove '89 in the drum cam 39 and the outer ends'slidably engage the grooves 13 together with recess 14 in the operating cap ('see Figf37).

Projectingk from shoulder |43 up into recess |42 is a small U-shaped lug |45. This lug is diametrically'opposed to one ofthe threerpins |144 andis of a size to slidably engage any one of the three U-shaped recesses |24 in Harige |23 o'f outer sleeve 6 (see Fig. 25).

The lower threaded end |34 of the bodyr |25 needsno other 'comment-,now otherthan tozsay 'that end cap |31 is 'later"-`threadably Aattached thereto. y

Located onA the side ofthe long cylindrical portion |32, substantially midway between the-top flared end |33 and the bottom threaded end |34, is a cylindrical side lug |35 (see Figs, 24, and 26). At each end of the cylindricallug is a shallow recess |46. Extending between 'the 'shallow recesses is a hole |41 of somewhat lesser diameter than the shallow recesses |46 which forms shoulders |48 at its junction with recesses |45. Connecting hole |41 and cylindrical cavity |38 are two other holes |49, theaxes of Vthese holes being perpendicularto the axis of the body |25. These holes,'almostzrnerge inside` cavityk 439 but diverge considerably `in .openinginto hole |41. This angular divergence betwcenthe :axes

i acc 7,998

gasketv |30 (see Figs. 3 and 24).

of -thetwo holes isy for a special purpose which will be .explained later. Projecting from .the wall of the hole |4l` inside lug |35, and diametrically opposed to the holes |49, is a tongue |53 whose `length is equal to theflength of the hole |43 (see Figs, 24 and 26).

AS Fig. 35 shows, partition |35 of body |25 contains a threaded, tapered end recess |5| which tunnels into a recess |52 of somewhat smaller diameter. Recess |52, in turn, joins with .a hole |53-to form the shoulder |54.

The primer The'primer holder |21 is essentially cylindrical and-has a -lower threaded end |56 and an upper tapered nose |51 (see Fig. 35). Axially positioned through :it from `its .top end are recesses |58, |59 and |60- (see Fig. 34). The lower threaded end |55 engages the threaded, tapered end recess i5! in `partition |36 of body |25, while the tapered nose |51 engages the similarly taperedend of rccess |5| in such a wayas to yform-aneflective gas seal between the primer holder |21v and -the body |25. Recess |58, being lthe same size as recess .|52 in Ypartition |35, extends downward ashort distance then joins the smaller diametered recess |59 lto format their juncture a shoulder iti (see Fig. 34). At `its lowerendreeess |59 joins with the somewhat larger diametered recess it@ .forming at their juncture the. shoulder |52. Recess then. continues to the lower surface of the primer holder. Extending across the face of lower 7threaded end |55 of the primer holder |21 into the recess |53 are four equally spaced grooves |53 which are so made as `to extend a, short distance into the shoulder |62" (see Figs. 3.4, 35 and 45).

The Vpenetrating pin The` penetrating pin il 2.8 ,has an .upper cylindrical portion |64-andla lower triangular pyramid portion |65 (see Figs. 3, 24, 45 and 5S). The cylindrical portion |64 slidably fits into recess |53 in primer holder |21, and the over-all length of the penetrating pin |28 is slightly less than the dis Atance between the shoulders ESI and |62 oi the primer'holder (see Fig. 34).

'The gas cylinder cal end |53. Neck end is slidably accommodated inrecess |55 of the primer holder |21 (see Fig. '34) and the cylindrical body portion |51 is `slidably accommodated in recess |39 in body 2.25

.(see Fig..24).

The ring gasket fNeXt to be considered is the rubber-like ring It is sufficient now to say that the inside diameter of cylindrical =|36 (See Figs. 24, 34, 35, 36A).

13 cavity |39 in body |25.and the inside diameter of the gasket are substantially identical, whilethe gaskets outside diameter is somewhat larger than the diameter of the bodys threaded end |34. As a result, when the gasket (which is accommodatingly mounted in the end cap I3|) is placed into its assembled position, it 4acts as an eiective gas seal for the jointure of the end cap to the body.

The end cap The last component of our inventive device to be discussed is the end cap |3| which consists of the open cylindrical portion |69 and the hollow domed portion (see Figs. 3 and 24). Cylindrical portion |69 contains the axially located threaded recess |1I for mating with the thread- PROCEDURE FOR FIAL ASSEMBLY OF'EN- TIRE DEVICE All of the components of our device have now been presented land their characteristics have been identied. Therefore, the next portion of our disclosure will concern a preferred method for combining the components into the fully assembled device.

Positioning of penetrating pin in primer holder With the primer holder |21 temporarily inverted from its Fig. 34 position, the penetrating pin |28 is placed, pyramidal end |65 pointing Y away from the primer holders tapered end, into the holders recess |59. In this position the flat end of the pins cylindrical portion |64 is flush with the base of the holders recess |58 which is to accommodate the primer.

Installation of primer and primer holder in body Using light pressure, primer |26 is then placed, percussion end I 55 outward, to the depth of shoulder |6| into the recess |53 of primer holder |21 (see Fig. 34). Thus positioned, the primer is in contact with the flat end of pin |28. Holding body |25 temporarily inverted from its Fig. 34 position, by use of a screw driver or like tool (not shown), the holder, which now contains the primer and penetrating pin, is next screwed into the threaded tapered end recess |5| in the bodys partition |36 so that the portion of the primer which projects outside the primer holder will be snugly accommodated in the recess |52 in the partition (see Fig. When the tapered nose |51 of the primer holder |21 is properly seated against the tapered end recess I5|, an eiective gas seal between the two parts is produced since the taper of recess |5| and the taper on nose |51 are so made as to include a very small fraction of an angle (not shown) between them, thus causing line contact with each other instead of the conventional area contact for sealing. In addition, primer |26 is closely confined between shoulder |54 in partition |36 ofthe body and shoulder 6| in recess |58 of the primer holder (see Fig. 34). Being a light press nt in the partitions recess |62 and in recess I 58 in primer holder |21, the primer is able also to act as an effective gas seal to prevent the escape of gas, when later released from the cylinder |22, through the opening |53 in the partition Placement of gas cylinder in body With body |25 still inverted from its Fig. 34 position, the sealed cylinder |29 containing the gas under pressure (not shown) next is inserted, neck end |66 foremost, into the bodys hollow threaded end |34. The closeness of fit between cylinder |29 and recess |39 of body |25 guides the neck end |66 of the cylinder into the recess in primer holder |21. The insertion of the cylinder |29 continues until the cylinders neck end I 66 contacts the shoulder |62 between primer holder recesses |59 and |66. When properly seated within the body, the spherical end |68 of the cylinder projects a substantial distance beyond the face of the bodys threaded end |34. The purpose for this condition will be evident later.

Securing of gasketecl end cap to body This done, ring gasket |30 is placed in the recess |12 in end cap |3|, and the cap-containing,

gasket |38 is screwed onto the bodys threaded end |34. The inside of the end caps domed end |19 proximates the spherical end |68 of the cylinder |29. Upon continued turning of the cap relative to the body, the ring gasketl |30 contacts the face of the bodys threaded end |34 and is compressed between that face and the caps floor |13, thus forming a seal between the cap and the body (see Fig. 24). Further turning causes the inside of the caps domed end |10 to abut the spherical end |68 of the cylinder '|29 and thus to securely conne it between the domed end |10 and the shoulder |62 in the primer holder |31. This completes the assembly of fthe components on the lower side of partition |36.

Installation of secondv sab-assembly in body With the body |25 in the Fig. 3 position, the second sub-assembly, consisting of the inner sleeve I l5, the outer sleeve I 6, the water soluble chemical sleeve ||1 and the balls H8, is placed ange |23l upward into the bodys ared end I 33. The body and the second sub-assembly are then rotated relative to each other until the three U recesses |24 in the iiange |23 of the outer sleeve ||6 pass by the three pins |44 which project a short distance into the bodys flared end |33. Further relative rotation of the body and the second sub-assembly is applied until one of the three U-shaped recesses |24 aligns with the small lug |46 in the bodys flared end |33. When this alignment is accomplished the second subassembly is further introduced axially into the 'body until the underside of flange |23v on the outer sleeve ||6 restsvupon the shoulder |43 in the bodys ared end. This interltting of the lug I 45 with one of the U-shaped recesses |24 thus prevents any further relative rotationbetween the second sub-assembly and the body |25 (see Figs. 24 and 25). Note in Fig. 25 that the balls I I8 in the inner sleeve I I 5 are in radial alignment with the pins |44 in the bodys flared end |33.

Installation of first sub-assembly in body .c

within the inner sleeve I|5 of the second sub- 'the remaining components.

' 15 assemblmand thefrecess .15 of the operating cap .8G slidably tsaround the outside of the bodys flared end. The body and the first sub-assembly are then rotated relatively until the three grooves 19 in the operating cap 5E are aligned with the three projecting Apins |44 in the bodysyared end. When so aligned, the outer ends oi the projectingpins |44 will slidably fit into the operating caps grooves 19 and their inner ends will slidably t into the drum camsgrooves 89, makingv possible the further axial joining of the Yfirst sub-assembly and the body |25. These two units, therefore, are further pushed together until the rim of the bodys flared end |33 contacts the vinside surface 84 of the top of operating cap .66. No further sliding together of the rst sub-assembly and the body |25 then is possible (see Figs. 33 and 37).

Beginning Aat this point, subsequent discussion of our invention will pertain to various relative positions between Ythe operating cap 55 with its contained components, and the body |25 with the components contained therein. For convenience of explanation the relative positions of the operating ,cap mentioned immediately above .will be called the Assembly position, the "Safe" position, the Automatic position and the Manual position. These positions of the operating cap (i6 with its contained components, .relative to the'body '|25 with its contained components, will now be discussed and the mode of Aoperationof our device will become evident.

rIHE ASSEMBLY POSITION In the above discussion of the assembly of our invention, we had proceeded to the point where we axially joined the operating cap 63 with its assembled parts to body |25 containing the properly positioned second sub-assembly andall This is the Assembly position earlier mentioned, and it Will now be discussed with reference to Figs. 33, 35,

'37, 41, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51 and 55.

With the operating cap 4lE down fully on the body |25 a certain-'important relationship exists at-this point between the semi-circular recesses `|^|1|ixoii-iring pin 1| and the balls I8 in the inner sleeve H5 of the second `sub-assembly, as shown :inthe side views, Figs. v35, 48 and 50, and in the top view Fig. 55. In Figs. 35, 48 and 50 it can b e seen that the shoulder |05 in the stepped flange |03, |84 of the ring pin 1| comes into light contact with the Zballs vl |-8 (one of which is shown) in the inner sleeve ||5 of second sub-assembly.

As a consequence, the periphery ofthe small diametered Astep |54 of ange |03, |84 `lightly contacts the balls ||8 (one of which is's'hown) to vthus prevent'their falling radially inward from their position inthe inner sleeve |5'b'oth before and during operation of our device. From the Fig. 55 relationship it can be seen that the balls shoulder 18 in operating cap V|56 `and the outer `ends of pins |44 in the bodys iiared end |33 as shown in Figs. 33 and 46; the relation-ship be- .tween 4the .grooves 89 of drum .cam 6,9 andthe 16 inner ends of pins 14A/as shownin Fig. 44; and theY relationship between detent `i'i and the stepped arcuate groove 85-3E in the operating cap 66 as shown in'Figs. 37 and 41.

As seen in Fig-s. 33 and 46, when the irst subassembly has been axially'inserted the maximum possible distance within body |25, the shoulder 18 in the operatin-g cap 5t is substantially in the same plane as the lowest point of the diameter-oi pins |44. Therefore, :as soon as the cap 65 is rotated clockwise, as viewed from above, the shoulder 18 in the operating cap 56 will pass under the outer end of pins |44, thus making removal of the operating cap E6 from the body |25 impossible.

Concerning Vthe 4clockwise direction oi rotation which we just mention-ed: a consideration of previous details concerning the operating cap E",

the detent `51 and the drum cam 69, will make it read-ily apparent that at this stage it is impossible to rotate the operating ca p SS in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from above. This condition exists by virtue of the position of the detent 61 in relation to the stepped arcuate groove 85-38 (see Fig. 37), and also by virtue of the position of the inner ends of pins |744 in relation to the single straight side Si* of grooves 89 (see Figs. 37, 4l and 44).

At this time, too, ythe inner ends of the pins |44 have passed along the shortstraight portion 9| of the groove 89 in the drum cam 59 and have reached a point just near the beginning of the slo-ped portion `53 of the grooves 89 (one of which is shown in Fig. 44)

The relationship between detent 51 and the stepped arcuate groove 85-33 in the operating cap SB is clearly establishedin Figs. 37 and 4l. Here it can 'be seen that the outside end ofdetent G1 rests in the shallow portion 86 oi the stepped arcuate groove l85, 85.

THE SAFE POSITION Having axially joined the rst sub-assembly and the body |25 to the maximum possible limit of their engagement, as previously mentioned.

the operating cap 6B is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above, through an angle of 30 4d-egrees relative to the body. The operating cap 66, in other words, is rotated from the position shown in Figs. 33 and 37 to the position shown in Figs. 34 and 38. The new position of the operating cap $5 is the Safe position and will be discussed with reference to Figs. 34, 38, 42,44, 47, 48 and 52.

In the Safe position of the operating cap '66, the letters S (also identified by .reference lchara'cterl) inscribed on the skirt B8 yof the operatin-g cap 66 are in registry with the Yarrows lll inscribed on the long cylindrical portion |32 of the body |25. See Fig. 34.

In turning the operating cap yclockwise from the Assembly position or" Figs. 33, 37 and-41 to the Safe position of Figs. 34, 38 and 42, the drum cam 89 has remained stationary, being prevented from rotation along `with the operating cap 66 by virtue of the relationship (sh-own in Fig. 44) 'between the inner ends of pins |44 and the sloped portions 93 of the grooves 39, and further because of the relationship (shown in Figs. 38 and 42) between the detent 81 and the stepped arcuate groove 85-83.

Beca-use the ring pin 1| is engaged to the vdrum camv by virtue of the Fig. 59 association,

the ring pin likewise has remained stationary since it can only rotate when Vthe drum 4cam is rotated, and the Fig. 55 relationship between the ball-s ii 8 and the semi-circular recesses |06 in the stepped flange |03, |84 still remains: that is, the balls |118 and t-he semi-circular recesses |06 are not in alignment. However, the relative rotation between the body 125 and the iirst subassembly has resulted in relative rotation between the operating cap 56 and the firing pin 1 1. This is due to the fact that `th-e slot 11 in operating cap 65 has moved thirty of the necessary seventy-five degrees toward alignment with the head portion 100 of the firing pin 1| (compare Figs. 37 Aand 38).

While in the Safe position, as well as in the "Automatic and Manual positions later to be discussed, operating cap 65 cannot be removed from body because the outer ends of pins 144 rest upon the shoulder 18 in the operating cap 55 (see Figs. 34, 3S, 47 and 52).

In addition, the operating cap `156 cannot 'be turned backward to the previous Assembly position without the aid of a pin tool. This is so because the inner ends of pins 1M abut the single straight side 90 of grooves 89, :and because the detent 61 has been sprung by spring '6-8 from the shallow portion 86 to the deep portion 85 of the stepped arcuate groove in the operating `cap 4|56 (see Figs. 38, 42).

From the operating standpoint, our device will not function when the operating cap 65 is in the Safe position. As mentioned previously, operation is impossible because of two independent conditions: the latching action between firing pin 1| and operating c-ap 66 (see Fig. 47), and because the balls 118 are not in alignment with the semi-circular recesses |016 -in the stepped iiange |03, |04 of the firing pin 1| (see Figs. 48 and 55).

THE AUTOMATIC POSITION Further clockwise rotation of the operating cap 66, as viewed from above, from the Safe position of Figs. 34 and 38 to that of Figs. 35 and 39 will produce the Automatic position of the operating cap 66. The "Automatic position will be discussed with reference to Figs. 35, 39, 43, 48, 50 and 55.

For the same reasons mentioned in discussing the Safe position, the drum cam E9 and the firing pin 11 remain stationary as the cap 66 is rotated. As the cap 66 is rotated from the Safe to the Automatic position the deeper portion 85 of the stepped arcuate groove in the operating cap passes over the detent 61, until, at the Automatic position, the detent is at the opposite end of the deeper groove portion 85 from what it was in the Safe position (compare Figs. 38 and 42 to 39 and 43).

In the Automatic position the letters A (identied by reference character 82) inscribed on the skirt 80 of operating cap 66 are in alignment with the arrows |41 inscribed on the cylindrical portion |32 of the body I 25 (see Fig. 35).

In the "Automatic position, too, the slot 11 in the operating cap 66 is in direct alignment with the head |80 of the iiring pin 1I, and thus the latching action between operating cap 68 and firing pin 1| is released (see Figs. 39 and 48). However, the axial travel of the firing pin 1| is still restrained by the balls |18 which project a short distance into the inside of the inner sleeve 115 (see Figs. 48, 50-and 55) In other words, the resilient force of the' compressed ring pin spring 10 is prevented'from acting now only by the balls 1 18 contained in the inner sleeve 1.15, these 18 balls being held to the securely located outer 'sleeve 1 16 by means of the water soluble chemivice would automatically operate, as will be ex- I plained later.

If, prior to use wherein the water soluble sleeve is dissolved, it should become necessary or desirous to return to the Safe position, this .may be readily accomplished merely by rotating the operating cap counterclockwise, as viewed from above, from the position shown in Figs. 35

f 'and 39 to that shown by Figs. 34 and 38.

THE MANUAL POSITION Rotating the operating cap 66 clockwise thirty degrees, as viewed from above, from the position of Figs. 35, 39, 43 and 53 to the position of Figs. 36, 36A, 40 and 54 will cause the letters M (identiiled by reference character 83) inscribed on the skirt of the operating cap 6E to align with the arrows |41 inscribed on the body |25. This position of the operating cap is known as the Manual position and is used if it should become desirable to operate our device without having to depend upon the solution of the soluble chemical sleeve |11.

Since, in the Automatic position, the deeper portion 85 of the arcuategroove 85-86 had traversed its rotative limit over the detent 61, any further clockwise rotation of the operating cap 66 pastY the Automatic position would also cause the drum cam 69 to turn in unison because those parts would be coupled by the detent 61. As the drum cam 69 is rotated, the sloped portions 93 of the grooves 89 are turned'into the inner ends of pins 144 causing the drum cam 69 to move away from the underside 84 of the top of the operating cap 66, thus furthercompressing the ring pin spring 68. This results in presentation of resistance to rotation to-the Manual position (see Fig. 57), which is desirable as it prevents accidental turning of the cap past the normally desired "Automatic position.

Because the parallel flats 99 of the ring pin 1| slidably t into slot 96 in the drum cam 69 (see Fig. 59), thus causing the ring pin 1| and drum cam 69 to rotate together as the operating cap 66 is rotated, the iiring pin is likewise rotated. This causes the semi-circular recesses |06 in the ring pins stepped flange |03, |04 to approach alignment with the balls 1 18 in the inner sleeve |15 (compare Figs. 55 and 56).

The semi-circular recesses 1 06 in the ring pin 'I1 become aligned with the balls ||8 in inner sleeve 1| 5 when the letters M in the operating cap align with the arrows |41 inscribed on the body |25 (see Figs. 36, 49 and 56). At that time the axial travel of the firing pinis no longer obstructed and the resilient energy of the cornpressed firing pin spring 10 is released, causing the firing pin to spring forcefully toward the pgrcussion end 55 of the primer |26 (see Fig. 3 A).

The sloped portions 9 3 of the drum cam grooves 89 serve a twofold purpose: first they add resistance to the turning of the operating cap 66 from the Automatic to the Manual position in order that our device cannot inadvertently be operated manually; second, they cause, the operating cap 66 to return back to the Automatic position should the person using ouigdevice begin turning the operating device to thefManual position and then, through personal injury or some other cause, not be able to turn the operating cap all the way'f to the Manual position.

THE LIFE VEST The conventional iniiatable life vest to which our invention is illustratively attached consists of two somewhat U-shaped independent cells i'il of rubber, or some similar material (see Fig. l). The cells are contained in a similarly shaped fabric bag (not shown) to which are secured the leg straps i'i and the waist belt i'i.

The leg straps H5 are secured at one end to the top of the life vest by means of the ring il? which encircles the two cells llt'. At their opposite ends the leg straps are attachable to the neck, forward over the shoulders, then down the front of his body. The leg straps H5 hang in back from the ring ill'. When the liie vest is thus positioned, the waist belt is joined at the buckle (not shown), andl the leg straps Ii are drawn forward under the wearer's crotch and upward to the buckles |78 towhich they are then securely joined in well known fashion (see Fig. l)

As shown in Fig. 2 there is integrally connected to the lower part of each cell llt a valve stem ESE! having. a shoulder its adjacent the r.;

cell and an axial opening IS?. containing. a valve (not shown). At its. outer end valve stem tilt carries the thread iS-l. In the wall on the outside oi valve stern |80,v located in such a manner as to vertically position our attached invention,

is an axial groove i655.. Through the wall near the outer end of the valve stern. Uitl,- and diametrically opposed tothe axial groove itil, is an opening it of somewhat larger diameter than the holes U59 in the side lug it oi our devices body B25. Axial opening i-SZ communicates through a-valve of conventional design to the inside !35 of the cell I'M.

ATTACHMENT OF OUR DEVCE TO LFE VEST .in order to position our device on the life vest, a small ring gasket l-l is'v placed in the shallow recesses its at each end of the side lug E35 of the body l. Thel valve stem 80 and its groove iai are aligned with the opening ill and tongue i562, respectively, in the side lug 35. The valve stem |86 and the side lug 35 are then pushed together until a small ring gasket i8? abuts the shoulder IBI on the valve stem i813'. In this position it can be seen that one of the two holes Hill is in alignment with the opening 285 in the wall of the val-ve stem itil. Cap H88 is then threadably attached to the valve stem itt until the ring gaskets i'i are iirmly compressed between the shoulder and the cap Hi8.

it be assumed that it is attached to an inflatable life vest and that the life vest has been strapped -to a persons body (see Figs. l and 2).

When there is no immediate necessity to use our device, the operating device may be placed either 2i) in the Safe or the Automatic positions at the discretion of the person concerned.

Should it' become necessary to use our device, results can be accomplished in either one of two ways, by automatic cr manual operation.

For automatic operation,- the operating cap E3 is turned by the wearer until the three equally spaced letters A on the cap are in alignment with the equally spaced arrows lei on the body 25 (see Fig. 35). Then, if the wearer should fall into a body of water, as soon as the water reaches our inventive device it will pass through the holes ifi@ in body 25 and contact the water soluble chemical sleeve i il. The chemical will be quickly dissolved, releasing the bond between the inner sleeve it and the cuter sleeve Ile.

Immediately, since the compressed firing pin spring 'it constantly exerts its energy against the balls H3 in the inner sleeve IE5, the balls will be pushed down as there no longer will remain any restraining means therefor. 1n turn, the balls will push the inner sleeve i i5 axially downward away from the stationary outer sleeve H6 (see Figs. 50 and 50A), When this separation o the sleeves has, continued a sufficient distance, the calls H2, which are pushed by the shoulder of ring pin 'H with the aid of the beveled perimeters il of holes l2@ in the inner sleeve H5, :nove radially outward toward the wall of recess it? or the body ite (see Fig. 50A).

When balls i i8 are fully out, the inside of the inner sleeve H5 is no longer obstructed, and the firing pin il, under energy supplied by the iiring pin spring it, rushes rapidly toward the primer lit. Detcnating tip it? of ring pin il strikes the percussion end 55- ci primer 12E with sui'licient force to lire the primer. The force generated by the detonation or the primer 62% acts on the flat face ci the cylindrical end it of the penetrating pin 23, swiftly forcing that pin toward the neck end its of the gas cylinder 29 with sufficient energy to cause the pins triangular-pyrainidal end it to puncture the iace of thev gas cylinders neel; end itt.

The cylinders gas, under pressure, is immediately released, blowing the penetrating pin 28 out or the puncture hole (not shown) hack into the position it formerly occupied. Gas from cylinder i2@ then rushes through the grooves iii-3 in the primer holder l2? and into the cylinder recess 39 in thehody 125. As the pressure builds up in the recess E39', the gas flows through holes idg into the axial opening E82 in the valve stem iet. Pressure in the axial opening increases and the valve (not shown) inthe stern itil is therebyI depressed, allowing gas to iiow directly to the inside 85 or" the cell ile until the cell becomes inflated to the proper extent (not shown).

if the person using our device desires to operate it manually, he merely turns the operating cap et until the letters M cn the operating cap t5 align with the arrows iti on the body '25, As previously mentioned, this action causes the semi-circular recesses iet in the stepped flange it-iet of the iring pin l! to align with the balls H8 in innerv sleeve i iE so that tho ilring pin ii is no longer restrained by the balls. The ring pin il then springs toward the primer 2t and detonates it. Subsequent operation from that point on is the saine as was mentioned above in connection with the automatic operation.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that we have provided a light, small, compact, simply oonstructed yet highly eiective means for inflating such life saving devices as rubber suits, vests, rafts, boats, and the like; that we haveprovided a means for inating life saving devices, which means is prevented from accidental disassembly or operation; that we have provided a means for inating life saving devices, which means is operable either automatically upon contact with water or other liquid; that we have provided a means for inilating life saving devices, which means is insensible to mechanical shock and to changes in barometric pressure; that we have provided a means for iniating life saving devices, which means is capable of being set at will in an inoperative or safe position until the user desires to make it operative either automatically or mechanically.

Since our invention has been disclosed in but one preferred form and, for illustrative purposes only, in connection with its performance when used on an inflatable life vest, we do not wish to be confined to the narrow limits here involved, because many variations and adaptations of our novel device are possible without departing from the original spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim:

l. In a device for use in expanding an inilatable member, the combination of a hollow cylindrical body, a partition dividing the bodys interior into upper and lower chambers, a puncturable cartridge containing a fluid under pressure housed in said bodys lower chamber, a base cap secured to the opening into the bodys lower chamber and removable to allow for insertion of said cartridge, a holder removably secured to said partition, means for puncturing said cartridge loosely tted in said holder with a sharp end facing the cartridge, an explosive primer carried by said holder adjacent said puncturing means, a water-soluble sleeve housed in said bodys upper chamber, a plurality of support member spacedly projecting radially into the sleeves central opening, a firing pin consisting of an upper longitudinal shank and a lower transverse ilange portion which has in its periphery notches whose number and spacing coincide with but whose size is larger than said radially projecting support members, a helical spring encircling said firing pins shank and supported by the ange thereof, a drum cam having a slot for accommodating the free end of said ring pins shank, and, removably fitted over the entrance to said bodys upper chamber, an operating cap to which said ring pin, spring and drum cam are removably secured in a unitary manner.

2. 1u a device for use in expanding an inatable member, the combination of a hollow cylindrical body, a partition having an opening therethrough dividing the bodys interior into upper and lower communicating chambers, a puncturable cartridge containing a fluid under pressure housed in said bodys lower chamber, a base cap secured to the opening into the lower chamber and removable to allow for insertion of said eartridge, means for puncturing said cartridge mounted in said partition for axial movement with a sharp end facing the cartridge, an explosive primer mounted in said partition adjacent said puncturing means, a water-soluble sleeve housed in said bodys upper chamber, at least one support member projecting into the sleeves central opening, a firing pin consisting of an upper vertical shank and a lower horizontal ange portion both mounted for unitary axial movement within said sleeves central opening, a helical spring encircling said tiring pinfs shank and supported by the flange thereof, a drum cam having a slot for accommodating`- the free end of said firing pins shank, and, removably tted over the entrance to said bodys upper chamber, an operating cap to which said firing pin, spring and drum cam are removably secured in a unitary manner. f

3. In a device for use in expanding an inflatable member, the combination of a hollow cylindrical body, a puncturable cartridge containing fluid under pressure housed in said body, a base cap secured to one end of said body and removable to allow for insertion of said cartridge, means for puncturing said cartridge mounted for axial movement within said body with a sharp end facing the cartridge, an explosive primer mounted adjacent said puncturing means, a water-soluble sleeve housed in said body spaced from said primer, at leastv one support member projecting into the sleeves central opening, a firing pin consisting of an upper vertical shank and a lower horizontal ange portion both mounted for unitary axial movement within said sleeves central opening, a helical spring encircling said ring pins shank and supported by the flange thereof, a drum can having a slot for accommodating the free end of said iiring pins shank, and removably fitted over the entrance to the end of said body'opposite the base cap, an operating cap to which said firing pin, spring and drum cam are removably secured in a unitary manner.

4. In a device for use in expanding an inflatable member, the combination of a hollow cylindrical body, a puncturable cartridge containing fluid under pressure housed in said body, a base cap secured to one end of said body and removable to allow for insertion of said cartridge, means for puncturing said cartridge mounted for axial movement within said body with a sharp end facing the cartridge, an explosive primer mounted adjacent said puncturing means, a water-soluble sleeve housed in said body spaced from said primer, at least one support member carried by 'the sleeve and projecting into its central opening, a firing pin consisting of an upper vertical shank and a lower horizontal flange portion both resiliently mounted within said sleeves central opening for unitary axial movement toward said primer, a drum cam having a slot for accommodating the free end of said ring pins shank, and, removably fitted over the entrance toA the end of said body opposite said base cap, an operating cap to which said firing pin and drum cam are removably secured in a unitary manner.

5. In the device of claim 4, a support for the water-soluble sleeve comprising, a water-insoluble outer sleeve having a ange for resting on an accommodating portion of the bodys interior, and a water-insoluble inner sleeve, all three of said sleeves being concentric with the water-soluble sleeve in intermediate position and all being fixed together in a unitary manner until such vtime as that fixed relationship is disrupted by water contacting and dissolving the intermediate sleeve.

6. In a device of the class described; a hollow cylindrical body having an opening at one end; a plurality of pins mounted' in the wall of said body near its open end and projecting from both sides of said body wall; a' circular operating cap having a lid portion and a dependent circumferential rim portion, the lid portion having on acercas its inner 'surface a T-shaped recess extending thereinto, and the rim portion having on its inner surface a circumferential shoulder adapted supportinglv to receive the ends of said pins projecting from the outside of said hodvs wall whereby to attach the cap to the body; a drum cam having a centrally located slot extending axially therethrough, and the canis rperiplfieral suiace having a plur lity of Z-shaped grooves adapted to ride against the ends of said pins projecting from the inside of said hoclys Wall whereby to urge the cam away from its contact with the cap; a substantially T-shaped firing pin whose cross-head portion is adapted to fit through the slot in said drum cani and into selective locking relationship with the T-shaped recess of said cap; and a spring normally in compressed relationship between said ring pin and said drum cani so that upon rotating the can to a position where the firing pins cross-head portion is unlocked with respect to the caps T-shaped recess the spring forces the iiring in sharply to plunge free of the cap and cern.

7. In the device of claim Ei; the circular onerating cap having on the inner surface of its lid portion a stepped arcuate ffroove through which a pin hole extentie to the cans outer surface; the drum cani having a blind recess Whose opening faces the inner surface of said can; and a dctent resiliently mounted so as to protrude from said cams blind recess into articulation with said caps stepped arcuategroove unen placement of the cam in contact with the inner surta/ce oi said caps lid portion, this ar iculation serving to keen the pins on the cody in locking engagement with the caps Acircurnferential shoulder' 'ov preventing' rotation of the can relative to the hotly any .f iista-nce greater than the length of the arcuate groove unless the cletent is previously contacted through the caps pin hole and depressed cut of engagement with the arcuate groove.

3. In a device :for actuating a. iiuio respon znen'iher, a hollow holder, and housed within the holder a puncturable cartridge containing' nui: under pressure for actuating said nernher, :oisans ici' puncturing said car ridge, a chemical eXplosive-operated means for supplying the force necessary to activate said puncturing means, means for detonating said chemical explosive-operated means, means including a uid-destructihie oarrier for normally restraining actuation of said puncturing means, and means whereby the device may selectiveiy Vce pre-set by the user to a ety 'oosition which makes the device inoperative, or to an automatic position which makes the device operative when a nui@ contacts destroys the barrier, or to o mechanical position which insts-ntl@r frees the nuncturing ineens and onoiilcs it io., J- with to puncture said cartridge.

3. ln a device ior actuating a fluid responsive member, a hollow holoier, and housed within the holder a puncturable cartridge containing a fiuid under pressure for actuating said member, means for puncturing said cartridge, an esplosive force developing means for furnishing the bloure quired to actuate said puncturing means, a resiliently loaded ring pin for detonatng said force developing means, ineens including huid-destructible barrier for normally restraining actuation of said iiring pin until fluid. contacts and destroys the barrier, and means whereby the device may selectively ce nre-set by the user to a safety position which makes the device inoperative, or to an automatic position which makes the device operative when a fluid contacts and destroys the barrier, or to a mechanical position which instantly' frees the firing pin and en abies it forthwith to fietonate the explosive force developing means.

l0. In a device for actuating a huid responsive member, a holder, and housed within the holder a puncturahle cartridge containing a fluid under pressure for actuating said member, means for pnnctuiing said cartridge, a force developing means consisting of an explosive substance for furnishing the blow required to actuato said puncturing means, a resiliently loaded iiring pin for detonating said explosive force developing means,

means including a fluid-destructible chemilca -l barrier for normally preventing said firing pin from acting on said force developing means until the barrier is destroyed upon being placed in contact with a destructible fluid..

CLARENCE VJALTON ALBERT BENDTT.

CYTED The following references of resort in the le of this lpatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Nunioer Name Date 701,329 Graham June 3, H2G2 1,329,390 Muller Feb, 3, 1920 2,203,626 Grant June 4, 194() FOREIGN PATENTS Plumber Countrv7 Date llfifi Great Britain Oct. '7, 192) 

